EU countries should place orders with Ukrainian defense industry - von der Leyen

BRUSSELS. July 9 (Interfax) - The European Union's investments in its defense capabilities are important not only for its current but also for its future member states, particularly Ukraine, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said, calling for procuring weapons from Kiev.

"The speed, the cost effectiveness and smartness of their [Ukraine's] defense production is impressive [...] But we also know that this highly capable defenses industry is only operating at 60% of capacity. So that is our opportunity. Our member states can take the SAFE [Security Action for Europe, an EU defense loan instrument] loans and procure directly with the Ukrainian defense industry," von der Leyen said at a European Parliament session in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

"For member states, its top-notch quality, fast and cheap, so big advantage for them. For Ukraine, it's both crucial revenues but also an opportunity to strengthen their defense industrial base. Ukraine and the European Union stand together now, we will be together in the future," she said.